There is no better time to launch this blog than now! Starting in 2011 the rivalry both Iowa fans and Nebraska fans have wanted starts. The countdown to kickoff has started and the boarder war that never was, will be.
Also, coming later this year will be the launch of http://www.hawkeyehusker.com/. Complete with news, opinion, links, video, message boards, etc. The one stop information source where fans from both sides can throw smack at each other.
I seek your input and suggestions as the rivalry grows. We will talk all things Husker, all things Hawkeye and all things Big 10.
I have over 20 years of journalism experience having covered both the Hawks (in my younger days) and the Huskers for the majority of my career. I tell everyone I cover the Huskers and follow the Hawks.
I remember Jim Zabel calling Iowa's 10-7 win over the Huskers in 1981. I was in the corner of Kinnick Stadium when Eric Crouch ran over the Hawks (literally) to a 42-7 victory.
This is a natural rivalry, great games will be played, some will be close and some will be blowouts. But every year we will always have the question answered, who's better, Iowa or Nebraska? No all we need is a trophy!
Many people know that Nile Kinnick is the name-sake for Iowa's stadium, won the Heisman trophy, and died serving his country in WWII. What many people do not know is that Kinnick attended Benson High in Omaha. If the Iowa-Nebraska game is to be a trophy game, I think it would be great to call the trophy the
ReplyDelete"Kinnick Cup" in honor of this man who at one time called both Nebraska and Iowa his home.
Trav, I expect you to put the paperwork through to the Big 10. Lets make this happen.
Thank you.
This game has the potential to be awesome for both programs.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure from Nebraska's standpoint they truly grasp yet what they are getting into with the move to the Big 10. I don't mean this strictly in a negative way either.
Nebraska has been a member of a very dysfunctional conference. The Big 12 has some great athletes and teams but stylistically the football can be quite different and it's all about Texas. By contrast, programs in the Big 10 are fierce rivals but brothers-in-arms outside of the game day competition. A 'high-tide floats all boats' mentality.
The other interesting facet is what impact will this move have on Nebraska's recruiting philosophy? The number of Texas recruits is likely to decline as many athletes from the state of Texas look to play in the Big 12 if not for a Texas school. Stylistically the brand of football can be quite different as well. You could definitely see these differences watching the Iowa-Missouri game. This may change the profile and type of athlete recruited by Nebraska in the coming years. They may have to reach into new recruiting areas.
I cannot wait until the Nebraska fan base experiences some of the better environments in the Big Ten. I think they will have some memorable trips including the first one to Kinnick as a Big Ten member.
Welcome new brother Nebraska. My guess is this series is going to be very competitive.